Supplemental rescue resources

ABSTRACT

A supplemental rescue resources system can receive an emergency alert message from a mobile device and use data from the message and other sources to determine and select appropriate supplemental rescue resources, which may include may include any person that has volunteered or is otherwise a participant in the system that is not an on-duty emergency responder. The supplemental rescue resources system may select a supplemental rescue resources based on the location of such resources relative to the location of an incident, and/or the qualifications and/or preferences of such resources. The supplemental rescue resources system may direct resources to the incident and notify emergency services providers of the supplemental resources. The supplemental rescue resources system may request and/or receive additional information from supplemental resources, emergency services providers, and/or those reporting incidents and use this information to adjust the notified supplemental resources, update emergency services providers, and/or update affected parties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/693,227, filed Dec. 4, 2012, entitled SUPPLEMENTAL RESCUE RESOURCES,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,989,698 issued Mar. 24, 2015, the contents of whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to wireless communications andspecifically relates to use of supplemental emergency response resourcesin a wireless communications system.

BACKGROUND

Current wireless communications technologies have been a great benefitto those who find themselves in an emergency situation. For example,where once someone in an emergency situation had to get to a landlinetelephone to alert authorities or others about the emergency, wirelessmobile telephones offer users a quick and easy way to contact emergencyresponse agencies (police, fire department, ambulance, etc.) or anyoneelse when and where the user encounter an emergency. Emergency responsepersonnel are typically contacted through a voice call to an emergencynumber, such as “911” in the United States. More recently, alternativecommunications may be used to contact emergency personnel, such as emailand text messages, and some devices are now equipped to automaticallygenerate and send emergency communications at the press of a button ordetection of some other input or condition. However, current wirelessmobile devices and their associated networks merely provide acommunications means to communications from one in need of assistance toa centralized emergency services provider who then locates and transmitsinstructions or a notification of an emergency to emergency servicespersonnel. In the current state of the art, wireless communicationsnetworks and devices are not actively involved in locating and notifyingthose that, while capable of providing assistance, are not currentlyactively working for an emergency services provider.

SUMMARY

A supplemental rescue resources system may receive an emergency alertmessage from a mobile device and use data from the message and othersources to determine and select appropriate supplemental rescueresources. Supplemental rescue resources may include any person that hasvolunteered or is otherwise a participant in the system that is not anon-duty emergency responder. The supplemental rescue resources systemmay select a supplemental rescue resources based on the location of suchresources relative to the location of an incident, and/or thequalifications and/or preferences of such resources. The supplementalrescue resources system may direct resources to the incident and notifyemergency services providers of the supplemental resources. Thesupplemental rescue resources system may request and/or receiveadditional information from supplemental resources, emergency servicesproviders, and/or those reporting incidents and use this information toadjust the notified supplemental resources, update emergency servicesproviders, and/or update affected parties. A response message may besent to the mobile device that requested assistance, notifying it thathelp is on the way and providing other information. These and otheraspects of the present disclosure are set forth in more detail below andin the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments is betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplaryembodiments; however, the subject matter is not limited to the specificelements and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary system in which supplementalrescue resources methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method of implementing asupplemental rescue resources system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary mobile device inwhich supplemental rescue resources methods and systems may beimplemented.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary processor in whichsupplemental rescue resources methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichsupplemental rescue resources methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary architecture of a typicalGPRS network, segmented into four groups, in which supplemental rescueresources methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 7 illustrates a non-limiting alternate block diagram of anexemplary GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture in whichsupplemental rescue resources methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 8 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an example architecturein which supplemental rescue resources methods and systems may beincorporated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In an embodiment, certain people who are qualified to assist those in anemergency, or simply interested in assisting those in an emergency, maybe enrolled or otherwise associated with a supplemental rescue resourcessystem. These people may be people who are not emergency servicespersonnel or who are emergency services personnel but who are notworking or on-duty at the time an emergency occurs. In an embodiment, asupplemental rescue resources system may determine whether any suchpeople are available to assist in an emergency based on some criteria.For example, a supplemental rescue resource system may determine thatsomeone listed as a participant in the supplemental rescue resourcessystem is close to someone else who has reported a heart attack, andthat the supplemental rescue resources system member is trained in CPR.Upon this determination, the supplemental rescue resources system mayautomatically notify the member and request that they assist. Asupplemental rescue resources system may be implemented as set forthbelow, where additional non-limiting examples and embodiments aredisclosed.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system that may be used to implementsupplemental rescue resources methods and systems. Mobile device 150, inan embodiment operated by a customer of a provider of network 101, maybe in communication with network 101 using any wireless communicationstechnology. Mobile device 150 may be any type of wireless communicationsdevice, including user equipment (UE), a wireless transmit and receiveunit (WTRU) a mobile telephone, a wireless communications device, asmartphone, or any other communications device as disclosed herein, orany other type of device capable of being configured to perform thefunctions and features of the present disclosure. Mobile devices 131 and132 may also be any type of wireless communications device and may beconfigured to communicate with network 101. Network 101 may be any typeand any number of communications networks, including a wireless network,a wired network, and a combination thereof, implementing any number andtype of communications protocols and technologies. All such embodimentsare contemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

An operator of mobile device 150 may be involved in, proximate to, orsimply aware of incident 125. Incident 125 may be any incident oroccurrence that may require emergency services or some sort of emergencyresponse (e.g., car accident, fire, health emergency, criminal activity,etc.)

In response to becoming aware of incident 125, an operator of mobiledevice 150 may operate mobile device 150 to transmit alert message 151to network 101. This may be accomplished using any means, including useractivation of a control on mobile device 150 that generates andtransmits alert message 151, user dialing of an emergency telephonenumber on mobile device 150 (e.g., “911”), and user initiation of a textmessage or other message. In another embodiment, mobile device 150 mayautomatically generate alert message 151 in response to the detection ofcertain conditions that may be caused by or represented by incident 125.For example, mobile device 150 may be equipped with heat, audio, wave,and/or motion sensors that detect major environmental changes and, inresponse to activation of one or more such sensors, mobile device 150may automatically generate and transmit alert message 151. In anotherexample, mobile device 150 may be equipped with health-relatedmeasurement and/or detection hardware and/or software to detect a userof mobile device's 150 health condition changes. In another alternative,mobile device 150 may interface with other devices, for example using ashort range wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth), such as implantedhealth devices and/or sensors, local surveillance cameras and/orsoftware, local transportation vehicles (e.g., car, motorcycle, etc.),other user devices, etc.

In yet another embodiment, mobile device 150 may initiate and/or executean application (e.g., mobile device “app”), which may be preinstalled onmobile device 150 or downloaded onto mobile device 150 before or afterpurchase of the device, and which may be updateable at any point intime, that generates and/or transmits alert message 151. Such anapplication may generate alert message 151 and directly transmit themessage, or it may generate alert message 151 and cause mobile device150 to transmit the message. Such an application may generate and/ortransmit alert message 151 automatically without user intervention or atthe request of a user, for example by activation of a control of theapplication. All such embodiments are contemplated as within the scopeof the present disclosure.

Alert message 151 may be any type and form of alert message, request forassistance, rescue request, or any other message indicating thatassistance from at least one emergency services provider may be neededthat may be transmitted from a mobile device to a network. Alert message151 may include data 152 that represents any type of data and anycombination of types of data that may be included in an emergency alertmessage. For example, data 152 may include video, text, voice data, oneor more images, audio data, computer instructions, location data, or anyother type of data or any combination thereof. Alert message 151 and/ordata 152 may include information identifying mobile device 150, anoperator or account associated with mobile device 150, and/or any otheridentifier, address, location, type, model, capability, and/or any othercharacteristic or identifier that may be associated with a mobiledevice, an account associated with a mobile device, or a user of amobile device.

Note also that alert message 151 represents one or more messages,packets, or other communications. For example, alert message 151 mayrepresent several voice data packets transmitted from mobile device 150.In an embodiment, alert message 151 may represent several periodic alertmessages. For example, a user of mobile device 150 may first place anemergency call (e.g., call to “911”) and then capture and transmitimages of incident 125 at later time via text message or email. All suchcommunications are represented by alert message 151.

Data 152 may be data that was automatically collected and/or generatedby mobile device 150, or data that was collected and/or generated by auser of mobile device 150. For example, data 152 may include health dataautomatically collected by mobile device 150 that is transmittedautomatically to network 101 upon detection of an adverse healthcondition of a user of mobile device 150. In another example, data 152may be a picture or video of incident 125 taken by a user of mobiledevice 150. Any means of acquiring and/or generating such data iscontemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

Alert message 151 may be addressed by the transmitting mobile device tosupplemental rescue resources system 110. Alternatively, network 101 maydetermine that alert message 151 is an emergency message, and inresponse may relay or send a copy of alert message 151 to supplementalrescue resources system 110. Supplemental rescue resources system 110may be any number and type of devices or combination of devices thatcollect and process any type of data relevant to providing emergencyservices. Supplemental rescue resources system 110 may also representsoftware executing on hardware that is either dedicated to performingemergency services functions or on hardware that may perform otherfunctions as well. Supplemental rescue resources system 110 may belocated within network 101, may be separate but communicativelyconnected to network 101, or may be distributed among several physicallyseparate devices, each of which may or may not be within network 101.Any configuration and/or design of supplemental rescue resources system110 are contemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

Supplemental rescue resources system 110 may include or becommunicatively connected to membership database 111. Membershipdatabase 111 may be one or more databases, systems, components, devices,or any combination thereof that may contain any portion of membershipdata, and any other data, as set forth herein. Membership data mayinclude any information about potential supplemental rescue resources.Any person may be included in a supplemental rescue resources system,but in some embodiments membership or eligibility for participation insuch a system may be restricted to those who have certain qualificationsor training. For instance, participants may be limited to emergencyservices personnel who are available when off-duty. Alternatively,participants may be limited to those with emergency response training orother applicable training, such as retired emergency response personnel,doctors, past or present members of the military, people with specifictraining (e.g., CPR training), etc. In another alternative,participation in a supplemental rescue resources system may be open toanyone, and their activities may be limited based on their skills andtraining. For instance, an average person, untrained in emergencyresponse, may be permitted to participate in a supplemental rescueresources system so that they can provide additional information, sendpictures, audio, and/or video from the site of an incident, comfortthose affected, and perform other non-specialist tasks. Any criteria orqualifications, or lack thereof, for participation in a supplementalrescue resources system are contemplated as within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Membership data stored in membership database 111 may include anyinformation about a participant in a supplemental rescue resourcessystem. For example, membership database 111 may include eachparticipant's name, contact information (e.g., mobile device telephonenumber), qualifications, age and/or birthdate, next of kin, employmentstatus (e.g., off-duty professional emergency responder, civilianvolunteer, etc.). Membership data may also include more specificinformation regarding the types of emergencies for which a participantis willing or capable of assisting. For example, a participant mayspecify that he or she is able to assist in car accidents, but notfires. Exceptions may be included in membership data. For example, aparticipant who cannot swim may have an exception noted in his or herrecord that the participant cannot assist in water-based incidents.Alternatively, a participant who is physically disabled may have anexception noted in his or her record that the participant has physicallimitations that would hinder assistance in some situations.

In some embodiments, supplemental rescue resources system 110 mayreceive alert message 151 and may transmit one or emergencynotifications to one or more emergency services providers. Each ofemergency services providers 141, 142, and 143 may be any emergencyservices providers, including police, ambulance services, firedepartments, local, state, or federal governmental agencies, etc.Supplemental rescue resources system 110 may transmit one or more ofemergency notifications 191, 192, and 193. Each of emergencynotifications 191, 192, and 193 may be a particularized requestspecifically intended for the destination emergency services provider.Alternatively, supplemental rescue resources system 110 may transmit asame emergency request to two or more emergency services providers. Eachof emergency notifications 191, 192, and 193 may include any informationthat may be required by or helpful to an emergency services provider.

Alternatively, alert message 151 may be provided to supplemental rescueresources system 110 after, or in conjunction with, the transmission ofalert message 151 to one or more of emergency services providers 141,142, and 143. Upon determining and alerting supplemental rescueresources as set forth herein, supplemental rescue resources system 110may then alert one or more of emergency services providers 141, 142, and143 by transmitting one or more of emergency notifications 191, 192, and193. Supplemental rescue resources system may determine the appropriateemergency services provider and the content of any emergency request orinformation sent to one or more of emergency services providers 141,142, and 143 based on analysis of alert message 151 and/or adetermination of the type and severity of incident 125, as well as theselected supplemental rescue resources.

Supplemental rescue resources system 110 may receive alert message 151and process the message to determine whether supplemental rescueresources are available. For example, supplemental rescue resourcessystem 110 may use data 152 to determine the type of emergencyrepresented by incident 125 and then determine, using membershipdatabase 111, whether there are supplemental rescue resources availablethat are proximate to incident 125 and qualified or willing to assist.To determine proximity, supplemental rescue resources system 110 maydetermine a location for each participant in membership database 111. Inan embodiment, supplemental rescue resources system 110 may use GPS orother location data for each member's mobile device obtained fromwireless network 101. In another embodiment, supplemental rescueresources system 110 may send a query to each mobile device associatedwith a participant requesting location information. In other means ofdetermining whether a participant is proximate to incident 125 iscontemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

In one example, supplemental rescue resources system 110 may obtain atelephone number for each of mobile devices 131 and 132 from membershipdatabase 111 and query wireless network 101 and/or each of mobiledevices 131 and 132 to determine their locations. Supplemental rescueresources system 110 may compare the determined locations of mobiledevices 131 and 132 to a location determined from alert message 151 anddetermine a proximity. For example, supplemental rescue resources system110 may determine that mobile device 131 is near incident 125, whilemobile device 132 is not.

Supplemental rescue resources system 110 may also determinequalifications and/or preferences for the operators of each of mobiledevices 131 and 132 from membership database 111. Supplemental rescueresources system 110 may compare the determined qualifications and/orpreferences of the operators of mobile devices 131 and 132 to anincident type or quality determined from alert message 151 and determinewhether either of the operators of mobile devices 131 and 132 isqualified and/or willing to assist. For example, supplemental rescueresources system 110 may determine that the operator of mobile device131 is qualified to assist with incident 125, while the operator ofmobile device 132 is not. Note that the determination of qualificationsand/or preferences and the determination of proximity may be performedin any order, or in conjunction, and one skilled in the art willrecognize that there are various ways to optimize these determinationsin order to implement the disclosed systems most efficiently, dependingon actual implementation hardware, software, and other factors. All suchembodiments are contemplated as within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Once one or more supplemental rescue resources are determined,supplemental rescue resources system 110 may send request/response 170to the determined supplemental rescue resource. For example,supplemental rescue resources system 110 may transmit request/response170 to mobile device 131 upon determining that that device is proximateto incident 125, and that the operator of mobile device is qualifiedand/or willing to assist. Request/response 170 may include any relevantinformation that the operator of mobile device 131 may use to assistthose involved in incident 125, including an address of or near theincident, a telephone number of someone affected by the incident, adescription of the incident, whether and which other emergencyresponders have been notified, etc.

Upon notifying one or more supplemental rescue resources, supplementalrescue resources system 110 may transmit one or more of emergencynotifications 191, 192, and 193 to the appropriate emergency servicesprovider notifying the provider that supplemental rescue resources havebeen notified. Each of emergency notifications 191, 192, and 193 mayinclude any information that may of use to an emergency servicesprovider, such as the name, telephone number, qualifications, and/orpreferences of one or more supplemental rescue resources.

Supplemental rescue resources system 110 may request additionalinformation from one or more devices associated with a participant in asupplemental rescue resources system. For example, supplemental rescueresources system 110 may transmit request/response 170 to mobile device131 upon after transmitting an initial request to mobile device 131 thatthe operator of mobile device 131 assist at incident 125.Request/response 170 may include a request for an image of incident 125,which may then be obtained by a user of mobile device 131 andtransmitted from mobile device 131 as additional data 180. In anembodiment, additional data 180 may be automatically generated andprovided by a mobile device. For example, supplemental rescue resourcessystem 110 may transmit request/response 170 to mobile device 131requesting location data for mobile device 131 in order to determinewhether the operator of mobile device 131 has arrived at incident 125 orto determine an approximate time of arrival at incident 125 for theoperator of mobile device 131. Mobile device 131 may, in response,automatically determine its own location data and provide that data asadditional data 180. Alternatively, any additional sensor data, imagedata, audio data, etc., may be requested from a mobile device and themobile device may provide this data automatically. This may performedtransparently to a user of mobile device 131, or may be done with anapproval or notification of a user of mobile device 131. In anembodiment, a mobile device may be configured with an application orapparatus that allows it to be remotely controlled by a supplementalrescue resources system. Any request for any type of data is representedby request/response 170, and any type of response data is represented byadditional data 180. Note that additional data 180 may be transmitted bymobile device 131 at the initiation of the operator of mobile device 131rather than in response to a request for such data from supplementalrescue resources system 110.

Supplemental rescue resources system may receive additional data 180 andtake further steps based on the data. For example, upon arrival atincident 125, a participant operating mobile device 131 may send a textmessage to supplemental rescue resources system 110 indicating his orher arrival. This information may then be transmitted from supplementalrescue resources system 110 to one or more of emergency servicesproviders 141, 142, and 143 in one or more of emergency notifications191, 192, and 193. Alternatively, other information may be received frommobile device 131 that indicates a condition, amount of damage, numberof injuries, or any characteristic of incident 125 as additional data180. This information may be sent to one or more of emergency servicesproviders 141, 142, and 143 in one or more of emergency notifications191, 192, and 193 from supplemental rescue resources system 110. One ormore of emergency services providers 141, 142, and 143 may then adjusttheir response based on this information. For example, incident 125 maybe more severe than initially contemplated, and one of emergencyservices providers 141, 142, and 143 may in response send additionalresources to the site.

In an embodiment, information, instructional material, or any other typeof media or information may be provided to mobile device 131, forexample as request/response 170, to assist with providing help atincident 125. For example, supplemental rescue resources system 110 maysend helpful information, such as a CPR tutorial video, to mobile device131. Alternatively, supplemental rescue resources system 110 may sendnotes or audio describing how to identify and/or handle dangerouschemicals that may be present at incident 125. Note that anyinstructional, assistance, or informational media (e.g., video, audio,text, images, etc.) may be stored at, obtained by, and/or generated bysupplemental rescue resources system 110, and any such material may beprovided to one or more supplemental rescue resources. All suchembodiments are contemplated as within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

In an embodiment, the user of mobile device 131 may directly requestassistance from other participants in supplemental rescue resourcessystem 110 or from nonparticipants. For example, the user of mobiledevice 131 may know that the user of mobile device 132 has particularskills, or is simply known to the user of mobile device 131, and maycontact the user of mobile device 132 directly using any means,including a phone call, email, text message social media website orportal, etc. Such contact may be logged or otherwise tracked bysupplemental rescue resources system 110 for logging purposes.Alternatively, such contact may go through supplemental rescue resourcessystem 110, for example as additional data 180, and supplemental rescueresources system 110 may then contact the user of mobile device 132, forexample with request/response 170, in an embodiment after determiningthat the user of mobile device 132 is an authorized supplemental rescueresource. Alternatively, the user of mobile device 132 may not be acurrent member of supplemental rescue resources system 110, but may beadded on the fly as the user of mobile device 131 requests assistancefrom the user of mobile device 132 directly or through supplementalrescue resources system 110. In an embodiment, mobile device 131 may beconfigured with an application (e.g., “app”) that detects or enablescontact with other participants in supplemental rescue resources system110 and/or nonparticipants and sends data to supplemental rescueresources system 110 (e.g., as additional data 180) so that such contactcan be tracked and/or authorized. All such embodiments are contemplatedas within the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, where specialized assistance may be needed or desired,supplemental rescue resources that have related specialized knowledgebut are not able to be physically present at incident 125 may becommunicatively connected to mobile device 131 in order to provideassistance. For example, it may be determined by supplemental rescueresources system 110 that the user of mobile device 132 has knowledge ofparticular relevance to incident 125, for example, based on alertmessage 151 and/or additional data 180. In response, supplemental rescueresources system 110 may contact the user of mobile device 132 andenable, instruct, or otherwise facilitate communications between mobiledevice 132 and mobile device 131. Such communications may be direct,(e.g., supplemental rescue resources system 110 instructs mobile device132 to call mobile device 131, with to without user intervention) orindirect (e.g., supplemental rescue resources system 110 communicateswith both mobile device 132 and mobile device 131 and bridges orotherwise facilitates the communications between the devices, with towithout user intervention.) All such embodiments are contemplated aswithin the scope of the present disclosure.

Supplemental rescue resources system 110 may also, or instead, provide aresponse to mobile device 150 as part of its supplemental rescueresources processing. For example, supplemental rescue resources system110 may transmit request/response 170 to mobile device 150 uponreceiving and processing alert message 151. Request/response 170 mayinclude an acknowledgement that alert message 151 was received, and anindication that a participant in the supplemental rescue resourcessystem is on the way to assist. Request/response 170 may also includeadditional information such as an estimated time of arrival of theparticipant, a name and/or telephone number of the participant, otheremergency contact information such as a local authorities' telephonenumber, or any other information or data that may be sent in response toan alert message. Any type of response including any information isrepresented by request/response 170.

FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary, non-limiting method 200 of implementing anembodiment as disclosed herein. Method 200, and the individual actionsand functions described in method 200, may be performed by any one ormore devices, including those described herein, such as the systemillustrated in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, method 200 may be performed bya system such as supplemental rescue resources system 110, by any othernetwork component or combination of components, or by any other deviceor component or combination thereof, in some embodiments in conjunctionwith other network elements, and/or software configured and/or executingon any network or network attached element. Note that any of thefunctions and/or actions described in regard to any of the blocks ofmethod 200 may be performed in any order, in isolation, with a subset ofother functions and/or actions described in regard to any of the otherblocks of method 200 or any other method described herein, and incombination with other functions and/or actions, including thosedescribed herein and those not set forth herein. All such embodimentsare contemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

At block 210, one or more emergency alert messages may be received at asupplemental rescue resources system. The one or more alert messagesreceived at block 210 may be any message or messages, packets, or othercommunications directly or indirectly received from a mobile device. Theemergency alert message may be any type and form of alert message,request for assistance, rescue request, or any other message indicatingthat assistance from at least one emergency services provider may beneeded. The emergency alert message may include data of any type and anycombination of types, including video, text, voice data, one or moreimages, audio data, computer instructions, location data, or any othertype of data or any combination thereof.

At block 220, one or more emergency services providers may be notified.Note that this block may not be performed where the supplemental rescueresources system is copied or forwarded emergency alerts from users, butwhere the supplemental rescue resources system is the first system toreceive an emergency alert, the supplemental rescue resources system maybe configured to notify or otherwise pass on the emergency alert to theappropriate emergency services provider as soon as possible so that theemergency services provider can respond as quickly as possible.

At block 230, the emergency alert message may be analyzed using dataincluded with the emergency alert message and/or data stored at and/orobtained by the supplemental rescue resources system. Data used toperform this analysis may be any data set forth herein and any otherdata that may be used to determine appropriate supplemental rescueresources. A determination may be made based on this analysis as towhether there are any members of the supplemental rescue resourcessystem proximate to and/or available to assist with the reportedincident. If there are not, in an embodiment, the supplemental rescueresources system resumes awaiting additional emergency alert messages.

At block 240, a determination may be made as to whether there arequalified supplemental rescue resources available. Thus, a supplementalrescue resources system may determine, based on an analysis of thereceived emergency alert message and/or other data, the qualificationsand/or preferences required to qualify a participant in the supplementalrescue resources system to assist with the reported incident. As noted,this may take the form of determining that a participant is qualified toperform certain activities, willing to assist in the type of incidentreported, etc. If there are no qualified participants, in an embodiment,the supplemental rescue resources system resumes awaiting additionalemergency alert messages.

Note that the activities of blocks 230 and 240 may be performed in anyorder or in conjunction. For example, in one embodiment it may be moreefficient for a supplemental rescue resources system to determine theparticipants most proximate to an incident, and then determine which ofthe most proximate participants has the qualifications necessary toassist. Alternatively, a supplemental rescue resources system may firstdetermine a subset of participants with the proper qualifications toassist with the incident, and then determine which of the subset aremost proximate to the incident. In yet another alternative, thesefunctions may be performed in conjunction, and a determination made ofthe participants that are both most proximate and qualified and/orwilling to assist. Any permutation of these methods and functions arecontemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

Once one or more supplemental rescue resources are determined, at block250 the supplemental rescue resources system may transmit a message tothe determined resources requesting assistance at the reported incident.As noted herein, such as request may include any information, such as alocation of the incident, a request for particular information (e.g.,report on injuries, picture of incident, etc.), a request forconfirmation of receipt of the message, number and/or name of one ormore affected parties, notice of emergency services providers notified,a request to await arrival of other participants (e.g., safer to addressincident as a group or with a more highly trained participant), etc.

At block 260, the appropriate emergency services providers may benotified that one or more participants in the supplemental rescueresources system have been alerted. The notification may also indicatewhether the participant is present at the incident or on the way to theincident. This notification may also include additional information thatmay be useful to an emergency services provider, such as the number ofparticipants notified, the names and/or numbers of such participants,the qualifications and/or preferences of such participants, etc.

At block 270, a determination may be made as to whether additionalinformation or data should be requested, or whether there are additionalactions to take based on incoming updates or data. For example, anotification may be received from a participant that he or she hasarrived at the incident. In response, the supplemental rescue resourcessystem may send an update to an emergency services provider at block260. This update may allow the emergency services provider to adjust itsresponse. Alternatively, the supplemental rescue resources system may,in an embodiment in response to receiving a notification that aparticipant has arrived at the incident, send a request at block 250 foradditional information to the participant, for example, requesting apicture of incident, a status, assessment, etc. In another alternative,the supplemental rescue resources system may, in an embodiment inresponse to receiving a notification that a participant has arrived atthe incident, send an automatic control instruction to the mobile deviceof the participant at block 250 that directs the mobile device toautomatically acquire additional information, for example, taking animage using a camera configured on the mobile device, determining alocation of the mobile device, determining a rate and direction ofmovement of the mobile device, etc. At block 260, this additionalinformation may be provided to an emergency services provider, allowingthe emergency services provider to adjust its response.

Alternatively, upon notice that the participant has arrived at theincident, the supplemental rescue resources system may send helpfulinformation, such as a CPR tutorial video, to the participant's mobiledevice. Note that any instructional, assistance, or informational media(e.g., video, audio, text, images, etc.) may be stored at, obtained by,and/or generated by a supplemental rescue resources system.Alternatively, a request for additional information or instruction toautomatically control a mobile device may be transmitted to the mobiledevice that originated the emergency alert message received at block210. In another embodiment, information may be received from anemergency services provider with an instruction to convey thisinformation to the participant at the scene and/or to the mobile devicethat initiated the emergency alert message. For example, an emergencyservices provider may wish to inform those at the scene of an incidentof the emergency services provider's estimated time of arrival, expectedpersonnel, specific directions or locations to move to, etc. Anyinformation may be requested from or sent to a participant, an emergencyservices provider, and/or one who initiated the received emergency alertand all such information is contemplated as within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

At block 270, a determination may also, or instead, be made as towhether a response is to be transmitted to the mobile device thatinitiated the emergency alert message received at block 210 or to anyother device or system. If so, at block 280 a response may betransmitted. Such a response may include an acknowledgement that theemergency alert message was received, a notification that one or moresupplemental rescue resources have been informed of the incident and/orare on the way to the location of the incident, information about thesupplemental rescue resources such as names, telephone numbers, etc.,instructions for actions that may be taken by the sender of theemergency alert message, directions to safety, estimated response timefor supplemental rescue resources and/or emergency services personnel,and/or any other information or data that may be provided to a user whoinitiated an emergency alert message and/or to any other system ordevice.

In one embodiment, based on additional data received from a participant,a user who initiated the emergency alert message, or an emergencyservice provider, at block 250 additional supplemental rescue resourcesmay be notified and their assistance requested. For example, aparticipant may arrive at the scene of an incident and determine thatthe incident is far more severe than initially thought, and requestadditional supplemental rescue resources. Alternatively, an emergencyservices provider may determine that it has fewer resources availablethan usual, and request additional supplemental rescue resources.Alternatively, a first participant may arrive at the incident scene anddetermine that it is much less severe than thought, which may triggerthe supplemental rescue resources system to notify other supplementalrescue resources that may have initially been notified that theirassistance is no longer needed. In another embodiment, a firstparticipant may respond indicating that he or she is unable to go to thescene of the incident, and therefore the supplemental rescue resourcessystem may request that another participant assist. In some embodiments,records of participation after being requested to do so may bemaintained and used to determine when and if to call upon participantsin the future. Any trigger or reason for adjusting the response ofsupplemental rescue resources may be used and any response to suchinputs is contemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, a participant in a supplemental rescue resourcessystem may directly request assistance from other participants. Forexample, a first participant may know a second participant that hasparticular skills, or is simply known to the first participant, and maycontact that participant directly using any means, including a phonecall, email, text message social media website or portal, etc. Suchcontact may be logged or otherwise tracked by a supplemental rescueresources system for logging purposes. Alternatively, such contact maygo through a supplemental rescue resources system, for example asadditional data received at block 270, and the supplemental rescueresources system may then contact the second participant, in anembodiment after determining that the second participant is anauthorized supplemental rescue resource. Alternatively, the secondparticipant may not be a current member of a supplemental rescueresources system, but may be added on the fly as the first participantrequests assistance from the second participant directly or through thesupplemental rescue resources system. In an embodiment, a participant'smobile device may be configured with an application that detects orenables contact with other participants in a supplemental rescueresources system and/or nonparticipants and sends data to thesupplemental rescue resources system so that such contact can be trackedand/or authorized. All such embodiments are contemplated as within thescope of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment where specialized assistance may be needed or desired,supplemental rescue resources that have related specialized knowledgebut are not able to be physically present at an incident may becommunicatively connected to a mobile device that is present in order toprovide assistance. For example, it may be determined by a supplementalrescue resources system that a participant in the system that hasknowledge of particular relevance to the incident, for example, based onthe alert message received at block 210 and/or additional data receivedat block 270. In response, the supplemental rescue resources system maycontact the supplemental rescue resource operating a mobile device atthe incident and enable, instruct, or otherwise facilitatecommunications between that mobile device and a mobile device of theparticipant with specialized knowledge. Such communications may bedirect, (e.g., the supplemental rescue resources system instructs themobile device of the participant with specialized knowledge to call themobile device of the participant at the incident, with to without userintervention) or indirect (e.g., the supplemental rescue resourcessystem communicates with both the mobile device of the participant withspecialized knowledge and the mobile device of the participant at theincident and bridges or otherwise facilitates the communications betweenthe devices, with to without user intervention.) All such embodimentsare contemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, rewards, credits, money, and other incentives maybe used to increase participation levels in a supplemental rescueresources system or reward those who provide assistance.

The supplemental rescue resources systems and methods described aboveassist in providing quicker emergency response and better resourceallocation by involving more proximate resources sooner than istypically done in the current state of the art. By implementing thepresent disclosure, lives may be saved, injuries minimized, anddangerous incidents may be better and more efficiently addressed. Setforth below are further exemplary systems, devices, and components inwhich aspects of the disclosed supplemental rescue resources systems andmethods may be implemented.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example wireless device 1010 that may be used inconnection with an embodiment. References will also be made to otherfigures of the present disclosure as appropriate. For example, mobiledevices 150, 131, and 132 may be wireless devices of the type describedin regard to FIG. 3, and may have some, all, or none of the componentsand modules described in regard to FIG. 3. It will be appreciated thatthe components and modules of wireless device 1010 illustrated in FIG. 3are illustrative, and that any number and type of components and/ormodules may be present in wireless device 1010. In addition, thefunctions performed by any or all of the components and modulesillustrated in FIG. 3 may be performed by any number of physicalcomponents. Thus, it is possible that in some embodiments thefunctionality of more than one component and/or module illustrated inFIG. 3 may be performed by any number or types of hardware and/orsoftware.

Processor 1021 may be any type of circuitry that performs operations onbehalf of wireless device 1010. In one embodiment, processor 1021executes software (i.e., computer-readable instructions stored on atangible computer-readable medium) that may include functionalityrelated to supplemental rescue resources systems and methods, forexample. User interface module 1022 may be any type or combination ofhardware and/or software that enables a user to operate and interactwith wireless device 1010, and, in one embodiment, to interact with asystem or software enabling the user to place, request, and/or receivecalls, text communications of any type, emergency alert messages,voicemail, voicemail notifications, voicemail content and/or data,charging and/or billing data, and/or a system or software enabling theuser to view, modify, or delete related software objects. For example,user interface module 1022 may include a display, physical and/or “soft”keys, voice recognition software, a microphone, a speaker and the like.Wireless communication module 1023 may be any type of transceiverincluding any combination of hardware and/or software that enableswireless device 1010 to communicate with wireless network equipment.Memory 1024 enables wireless device 1010 to store information, such asAPNs, MNCs, MCCs, text communications content and associated data,multimedia content, software to efficiently process radio resourcerequests and service requests, and radio resource request processingpreferences and configurations. Memory 1024 may take any form, such asinternal random access memory (RAM), an SD card, a microSD card and thelike. Power supply 1025 may be a battery or other type of power input(e.g., a charging cable that is connected to an electrical outlet, etc.)that is capable of powering wireless device 1010. SIM 1026 may be anytype Subscriber Identity Module and may be configured on a removable ornon-removable SIM card that allows wireless device 1010 to store data onSIM 1026.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example processor 1158 which may beemployed in any of the embodiments described herein, including as one ormore components of mobile devices 150, 131, and 132, as one or morecomponents of supplemental rescue resources system 110, and/or anyrelated equipment, and/or as one or more components of any third partysystem or subsystem that may implement any portion of the subject matterdescribed herein. It is emphasized that the block diagram depicted inFIG. 4 is exemplary and not intended to imply a specific implementation.Thus, the processor 1158 can be implemented in a single processor ormultiple processors. Multiple processors can be distributed or centrallylocated. Multiple processors can communicate wirelessly, via hard wire,or a combination thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the processor 1158 comprises a processing portion1160, a memory portion 1162, and an input/output portion 1164. Theprocessing portion 1160, memory portion 1162, and input/output portion1164 are coupled together (coupling not shown in FIG. 4) to allowcommunications between these portions. The input/output portion 1164 iscapable of providing and/or receiving components, commands, and/orinstructions, utilized to, for example, transmit and/or receiveconfiguration data, transmit and receive device condition data, transmitand receive emergency alert messages and related data, messages, andrequests for data, establish and terminate communications sessions,transmit and receive service requests and data access request data andresponses, transmit, receive, store and process text, data, and voicecommunications, execute software that efficiently processes radioresource requests, receive and store service requests and radio resourcerequests, radio resource request processing preferences andconfigurations, and/or perform any function described herein.

The processor 1158 may be implemented as a client processor and/or aserver processor. In a basic configuration, the processor 1158 mayinclude at least one processing portion 1160 and memory portion 1162.The memory portion 1162 can store any information utilized inconjunction with establishing, transmitting, receiving, and/orprocessing text, data, and/or voice communications,communications-related data and/or content, voice calls, othertelephonic communications, etc. For example, the memory portion iscapable of storing condition and event data, emergency alert messagesand related data, configuration commands, profiles, thresholds, APNs,MNCs, MCCs, service requests, radio resource requests, QoS and/or APNparameters, device and link status, condition, and congestion data, textand data communications, calls, voicemail, multimedia content, visualvoicemail applications, etc. Depending upon the exact configuration andtype of processor, the memory portion 1162 may be volatile (such as RAM)1166, non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) 1168, or acombination thereof. The processor 1158 may have additionalfeatures/functionality. For example, the processor 1158 may includeadditional storage (removable storage 1170 and/or non-removable storage1172) including, but not limited to, tangible computer-readable storagemedia such as magnetic disks, optical disks, tapes, flash memory, smartcards, and/or any combination thereof. Computer-readable storage media,such as memory and storage elements 1162, 1170, 1172, 1166, and 1168,may be tangible storage media that may be volatile or nonvolatile,removable or non-removable media implemented in any method or technologyfor storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage mediainclude, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus (USB)compatible memory, smart cards, or any other tangible medium that may beused to store the desired information and that can be accessed by theprocessor 1158. Any such computer storage media may be part of theprocessor 1158.

The processor 1158 may also contain the communications connection(s)1180 that allow the processor 1158 to communicate with other devices,for example through a radio access network (RAN). Communicationsconnection(s) 1180 is an example of communication media. Communicationmedia typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection as might be used with a land line telephone, andwireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, cellular, and otherwireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein mayinclude both storage media and communication media. The processor 1158also may have input device(s) 1176 such as keyboard, keypad, mouse, pen,voice input device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 1174 suchas a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included.

A RAN as described herein may comprise any telephony radio network, orany other type of communications network, wireline or wireless, or anycombination thereof. The following description sets forth some exemplarytelephony radio networks, such as the global system for mobilecommunications (GSM), and non-limiting operating environments. Thebelow-described operating environments should be considerednon-exhaustive, however; and thus the below-described networkarchitectures merely show how supplemental rescue resources systems andmethods may be implemented with stationary and non-stationary networkstructures and architectures. It will be appreciated, however, thatsupplemental rescue resources systems and methods as described hereinmay be incorporated with existing and/or future alternativearchitectures for communication networks as well.

The GSM is one of the most widely utilized wireless access systems intoday's fast growing communication environment. The GSM providescircuit-switched data services to subscribers, such as mobile telephoneor computer users. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), which is anextension to GSM technology, introduces packet switching to GSMnetworks. The GPRS uses a packet-based wireless communication technologyto transfer high and low speed data and signaling in an efficientmanner. The GPRS attempts to optimize the use of network and radioresources, thus enabling the cost effective and efficient use of GSMnetwork resources for packet mode applications.

The exemplary GSM/GPRS environment and services described herein alsomay be extended to 3G services, such as Universal Mobile TelephoneSystem (UMTS), Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time DivisionDuplexing (TDD), High Speed Packet Data Access (HSPDA), cdma2000 1×Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), Code Division Multiple Access-2000(cdma2000 3×), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access(TD-SCDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), EnhancedData GSM Environment (EDGE), International MobileTelecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000), Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications (DECT), 4G Services such as Long Term Evolution(LTE), LTE-Advanced. etc., as well as to other network services thatbecome available in time. In this regard, supplemental rescue resourcessystems and methods may be implemented independently of the method ofdata transport and does not depend on any particular networkarchitecture or underlying protocols.

FIG. 5 depicts an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichsupplemental rescue resources systems and methods such as thosedescribed herein may be practiced. In an example configuration, any RANcomponent as described herein may be encompassed by or interact with thenetwork environment depicted in FIG. 5. Similarly, mobile devices 150,131, and 132 may communicate or interact with a network environment suchas that depicted in FIG. 5. In such an environment, there may be aplurality of Base Station Subsystems (BSS) 900 (only one is shown), eachof which comprises a Base Station Controller (BSC) 902 serving aplurality of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) such as BTSs 904, 906, and908. BTSs 904, 906, 908, etc. are the access points where users ofpacket-based mobile devices (e.g., mobile devices 150, 131, and 132)become connected to the wireless network. In exemplary fashion, thepacket traffic originating from user devices (e.g., mobile devices 150,131, and 132) may be transported via an over-the-air interface to a BTS908, and from the BTS 908 to the BSC 902. Base station subsystems, suchas BSS 900, may be a part of internal frame relay network 910 that caninclude Service GPRS Support Nodes (SGSN) such as SGSN 912 and 914. EachSGSN may be connected to an internal packet network 920 through which aSGSN 912, 914, etc., may route data packets to and from a plurality ofgateway GPRS support nodes (GGSN) 922, 924, 926, etc. As illustrated,SGSN 914 and GGSNs 922, 924, and 926 may be part of internal packetnetwork 920. Gateway GPRS serving nodes 922, 924 and 926 may provide aninterface to external Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as PublicLand Mobile Network (PLMN) 950, corporate intranets 940, or Fixed-EndSystem (FES) or the public Internet 930. As illustrated, subscribercorporate network 940 may be connected to GGSN 924 via firewall 932, andPLMN 950 may be connected to GGSN 924 via border gateway router 934. TheRemote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server 942 may beused for caller authentication when a user of a mobile cellular devicecalls corporate network 940.

Generally, there may be four different cell sizes in a GSM network,referred to as macro, micro, pico, and umbrella cells. The coverage areaof each cell is different in different environments. Macro cells may beregarded as cells in which the base station antenna is installed in amast or a building above average roof top level. Micro cells are cellswhose antenna height is under average roof top level. Micro-cells may betypically used in urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having adiameter of a few dozen meters. Pico cells may be used mainly indoors.On the other hand, umbrella cells may be used to cover shadowed regionsof smaller cells and fill in gaps in coverage between those cells.

FIG. 6 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network segmentedinto four groups: users 1050, radio access network 1060, core network1070, and interconnect network 1080. Users 1050 may comprise a pluralityof end users (although only mobile subscriber 1055 is shown in FIG. 6).In an example embodiment, the device depicted as mobile subscriber 1055may comprise any of mobile devices 150, 131, and 132. Radio accessnetwork 1060 comprises a plurality of base station subsystems such asBSSs 1062, which may include BTSs 1064 and BSCs 1066. Core network 1070comprises a host of various network elements. As illustrated here, corenetwork 1070 may comprise Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 1071, ServiceControl Point (SCP) 1072, gateway MSC 1073, SGSN 1076, Home LocationRegister (HLR) 1074, Authentication Center (AuC) 1075, Domain NameServer (DNS) 1077, and GGSN 1078. Interconnect network 1080 may alsocomprise a host of various networks and other network elements. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, interconnect network 1080 comprises PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN) 1082, Fixed-End System (FES) orInternet 1084, firewall 1088, and Corporate Network 1089.

A mobile switching center may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 1071, for instance, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 1082 through Gateway MSC (GMSC)1073, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 1076 that may send the datatraffic to GGSN 1078 for further forwarding.

When MSC 1071 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 1066, it maysend a query to a database hosted by SCP 1072. The SCP 1072 may processthe request and may issue a response to MSC 1071 so that it may continuecall processing as appropriate.

The HLR 1074 may be a centralized database for users to register to theGPRS network. In some embodiments, HLR/HSS 240 may be a device such asHLR 1074. HLR 1074 may store static information about the subscriberssuch as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), APNprofiles, subscribed services, and a key for authenticating thesubscriber. HLR 1074 may also store dynamic subscriber information suchas dynamic APN profiles and the current location of the mobilesubscriber. HLR 1074 may also serve to intercept and determine thevalidity of destination numbers in messages sent from a device, such asmobile subscriber 1055, as described herein. Associated with HLR 1074may be AuC 1075. AuC 1075 may be a database that contains the algorithmsfor authenticating subscribers and may include the associated keys forencryption to safeguard the user input for authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber”sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the actual portabledevice, such as mobile devices 150, 131, and 132, used by an end user ofa mobile cellular service or a wireless provider. When a mobilesubscriber turns on his or her mobile device, the mobile device may gothrough an attach process by which the mobile device attaches to an SGSNof the GPRS network. In FIG. 6, when mobile subscriber 1055 initiatesthe attach process by turning on the network capabilities of the mobiledevice, an attach request may be sent by mobile subscriber 1055 to SGSN1076. The SGSN 1076 queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber1055 was attached before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 1055.Upon receiving the identity of mobile subscriber 1055 from the otherSGSN, SGSN 1076 may request more information from mobile subscriber1055. This information may be used to authenticate mobile subscriber1055 to SGSN 1076 by HLR 1074. Once verified, SGSN 1076 sends a locationupdate to HLR 1074 indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, inthis case SGSN 1076. HLR 1074 may notify the old SGSN, to which mobilesubscriber 1055 was attached before, to cancel the location process formobile subscriber 1055. HLR 1074 may then notify SGSN 1076 that thelocation update has been performed. At this time, SGSN 1076 sends anAttach Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055, which in turn sends anAttach Complete message to SGSN 1076.

After attaching itself to the network, mobile subscriber 1055 may thengo through the authentication process. In the authentication process,SGSN 1076 may send the authentication information to HLR 1074, which maysend information back to SGSN 1076 based on the user profile that waspart of the user's initial setup. The SGSN 1076 may then send a requestfor authentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 1055. The mobilesubscriber 1055 may use an algorithm to send the user identification(ID) and password to SGSN 1076. The SGSN 1076 may use the same algorithmand compares the result. If a match occurs, SGSN 1076 authenticatesmobile subscriber 1055.

Next, the mobile subscriber 1055 may establish a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 1089, by going through a PacketData Protocol (PDP) activation process. Briefly, in the process, mobilesubscriber 1055 may request access to an Access Point Name (APN), forexample, UPS.com, and SGSN 1076 may receive the activation request frommobile subscriber 1055. SGSN 1076 may then initiate a Domain NameService (DNS) query to learn which GGSN node has access to the UPS.comAPN. The DNS query may be sent to the DNS server within the core network1070, such as DNS 1077, that may be provisioned to map to one or moreGGSN nodes in the core network 1070. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN1078 may access the requested corporate network 1089. The SGSN 1076 maythen send to GGSN 1078 a Create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) ContextRequest message that contains necessary information. The GGSN 1078 maysend a Create PDP Context Response message to SGSN 1076, which may thensend an Activate PDP Context Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 1055may then go through radio access network 1060, core network 1070, andinterconnect network 1080, in a particular fixed-end system, or Internet1084 and firewall 1088, to reach corporate network 1089.

Thus, network elements that can invoke the functionality of supplementalrescue resources systems and methods such as those described herein mayinclude, but are not limited to, any RAN component, Gateway GPRS SupportNode tables, Fixed End System router tables, firewall systems, VPNtunnels, and any number of other network elements as required by theparticular digital network.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 1100 in which supplemental rescueresources systems and methods based on message type such as thosedescribed herein may be incorporated. As illustrated, architecture 1100of FIG. 7 includes a GSM core network 1101, a GPRS network 1130 and anIP multimedia network 1138. The GSM core network 1101 includes a MobileStation (MS) 1102, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 1104 anda Base Station Controller (BSC) 1106. The MS 1102 may be physicalequipment or Mobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile telephone or alaptop computer (e.g., mobile devices 150, 131, and 132) that may beused by mobile subscribers, in one embodiment with a Subscriber identityModule (SIM). The SIM may include an International Mobile SubscriberIdentity (IMSI), which may be a unique identifier of a subscriber. TheSIM may also include APNs. The BTS 1104 may be physical equipment, suchas a radio tower, that enables a radio interface to communicate with theMS. Each BTS may serve more than one MS. The BSC 1106 may manage radioresources, including the BTS. The BSC may be connected to several BTSs.The BSC and BTS components, in combination, are generally referred to asa base station (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 1103.

The GSM core network 1101 may also include a Mobile Switching Center(MSC) 1108, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1110, a HomeLocation Register (HLR) 1112, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1114, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 1118, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 1116. The MSC 1108 may perform a switching function for thenetwork. The MSC may also perform other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC1110 may provide a gateway between the GSM network and other networks,such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 1120. Thus, the GMSC 1110 providesinterworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 1112 may be a database that may contain administrativeinformation regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSMnetwork. Such information may include APNs and APN profiles. The HLR1112 may also contain the current location of each MS. The VLR 1114 maybe a database that contains selected administrative information from theHLR 1112. The VLR may contain information necessary for call control andprovision of subscribed services for each MS currently located in ageographical area controlled by the VLR. The HLR 1112 and the VLR 1114,together with the MSC 1108, may provide the call routing and roamingcapabilities of GSM. The AuC 1116 may provide the parameters needed forauthentication and encryption functions. Such parameters allowverification of a subscriber's identity. The EIR 1118 may storesecurity-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1109 allows one-to-one shortmessage service (SMS), or multimedia message service (MMS), messages tobe sent to/from the MS 1102. A Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 1111 is used to“push” (i.e., send without a synchronous request) content to the MS1102. The PPG 1111 acts as a proxy between wired and wireless networksto facilitate pushing of data to the MS 1102. A Short Message Peer toPeer (SMPP) protocol router 1113 may be provided to convert SMS-basedSMPP messages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP is a protocol forexchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short messageservice centers. The SMPP protocol is often used to allow third parties,e.g., content suppliers such as news organizations, to submit bulkmessages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as voice, data, short messageservice (SMS), and multimedia message service (MMS), the MS may firstregister with the network to indicate its current location by performinga location update and IMSI attach procedure. MS 1102 may send a locationupdate including its current location information to the MSC/VLR, viaBTS 1104 and BSC 1106. The location information may then be sent to theMS's HLR. The HLR may be updated with the location information receivedfrom the MSC/VLR. The location update may also be performed when the MSmoves to a new location area. Typically, the location update may beperiodically performed to update the database as location updatingevents occur.

GPRS network 1130 may be logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1132, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 1134. The SGSN 1132 may be at the samehierarchical level as the MSC 1108 in the GSM network. The SGSN maycontrol the connection between the GPRS network and the MS 1102. TheSGSN may also keep track of individual MS's locations and securityfunctions and access controls.

Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 1133 may communicate cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile telephone customers whoare located within a given part of its network coverage area at the timethe message is broadcast.

GGSN 1134 may provide a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 1136. That is, the GGSN mayprovide interworking functionality with external networks, and set up alogical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it may be transferred to an external TCP-IPnetwork 1136, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order toaccess GPRS services, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS networkby performing an attach procedure. The MS may then activate a packetdata protocol (PDP) context, thus activating a packet communicationsession between the MS, the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services may be used inparallel. The MS may operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS may attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS may also supportsimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles may receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time.

A class B MS may attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

GPRS network 1130 may be designed to operate in three network operationmodes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of a GPRS networkmay be indicated by a parameter in system information messagestransmitted within a cell. The system information messages may direct anMS where to listen for paging messages and how to signal towards thenetwork. The network operation mode represents the capabilities of theGPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS may receive pages from a circuitswitched domain (voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS maysuspend the data call or take both simultaneously, depending on theability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may not receive pages from acircuit switched domain when engaged in a data call, since the MS may bereceiving data and may not be listening to a paging channel. In a NOM3network, a MS may monitor pages for a circuit switched network whilereceiving data and vice versa.

The IP multimedia network 1138 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andmay include IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1140 to provide richmultimedia services to end users. A representative set of the networkentities within IMS 1140 are a call/session control function (CSCF), amedia gateway control function (MGCF) 1146, a media gateway (MGW) 1148,and a master subscriber database, called a home subscriber server (HSS)1150. HSS 1150 may be common to GSM core network 1101, GPRS network 1130as well as IP multimedia network 1138.

IP multimedia system 1140 may be built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)1143, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1142, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 1144. TheP-CSCF 1142 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 1140. TheP-CSCF 1142 may forward session initiation protocol (SIP) messagesreceived from the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa)of the MS. The P-CSCF 1142 may also modify an outgoing request accordingto a set of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

I-CSCF 1143 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. I-CSCF 1143 may contact subscriberlocation function (SLF) 1145 to determine which HSS 1150 to use for theparticular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 1150 are present. S-CSCF 1144may perform the session control services for MS 1102. This includesrouting originating sessions to external networks and routingterminating sessions to visited networks. S-CSCF 1144 may also decidewhether an application server (AS) 1152 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision may be based on information receivedfrom HSS 1150 (or other sources, such as application server 1152). AS1152 may also communicate to location server 1156 (e.g., a GatewayMobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of MS 1102.

HSS 1150 may contain a subscriber profile and keep track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It may also supportsubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 1150, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 1150 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

MGCF 1146 may provide interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 1140 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown.) It may also control themedia gateway (MGW) 1148 that provides user-plane interworkingfunctionality (e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice.) MGW1148 may also communicate with other IP multimedia networks 1154.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile telephones may registerwith the wireless network when the telephones are in a predefined area(e.g., job site, etc.) When the mobile telephones leave the area, theymay register with the network in their new location as being outside thepredefined area. This registration, however, does not indicate theactual physical location of the mobile telephones outside thepre-defined area.

FIG. 8 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an example architecturein which supplemental rescue resources systems and methods may beincorporated. Mobile Station (MS) 1401 is the physical equipment used bythe PLMN subscriber. In one illustrative embodiment, any of mobiledevices 150, 131, and 132 may serve as Mobile Station 1401. MobileStation 1401 may be one of, but not limited to, a cellular telephone, acellular telephone in combination with another electronic device, or anyother wireless mobile communication device.

Mobile Station 1401 may communicate wirelessly with Base Station System(BSS) 1410. BSS 1410 contains a Base Station Controller (BSC) 1411 and aBase Transceiver Station (BTS) 1412. BSS 1410 may include a single BSC1411/BTS 1412 pair (Base Station) or a system of BSC/BTS pairs which arepart of a larger network. BSS 1410 is responsible for communicating withMobile Station 1401 and may support one or more cells. BSS 1410 isresponsible for handling cellular traffic and signaling between MobileStation 1401 and Core Network 1440. Typically, BSS 1410 performsfunctions that include, but are not limited to, digital conversion ofspeech channels, allocation of channels to mobile devices, paging, andtransmission/reception of cellular signals.

Additionally, Mobile Station 1401 may communicate wirelessly with RadioNetwork System (RNS) 1420. RNS 1420 contains a Radio Network Controller(RNC) 1421 and one or more Node(s) B 1422. RNS 1420 may support one ormore cells. RNS 1420 may also include one or more RNC 1421/Node B 1422pairs or alternatively a single RNC 1421 may manage multiple Nodes B1422. RNS 1420 may be responsible for communicating with Mobile Station1401 in its geographically defined area. RNC 1421 may be responsible forcontrolling the Node(s) B 1422 that are connected to it and is a controlelement in a UMTS radio access network. RNC 1421 may perform functionssuch as, but not limited to, load control, packet scheduling, handovercontrol, security functions, as well as controlling Mobile Station1401's access to the Core Network (CN) 1440.

The evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) 1430 is aradio access network that provides wireless data communications forMobile Station 1401 and User Equipment 1402. E-UTRAN 1430 provideshigher data rates than traditional UMTS. It is part of the Long TermEvolution (LTE) upgrade for mobile networks and later releases meet therequirements of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)Advanced and are commonly known as a 4G networks. E-UTRAN 1430 mayinclude of series of logical network components such as E-UTRAN Node B(eNode B, may also be referred to as an “eNB”) 1431 and E-UTRAN Node B(eNB) 1432. E-UTRAN 1430 may contain one or more eNBs. User Equipment1402 may be any user device capable of connecting to E-UTRAN 1430including, but not limited to, a personal computer, laptop, mobiledevice, wireless router, or other device capable of wirelessconnectivity to E-UTRAN 1430. The improved performance of the E-UTRAN1430 relative to a typical UMTS network allows for increased bandwidth,spectral efficiency, and functionality including, but not limited to,voice, high-speed applications, large data transfer and IPTV, whilestill allowing for full mobility.

An example embodiment of a mobile data and communication service thatmay be implemented in the PLMN architecture described in FIG. 8 is theEnhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). EDGE is an enhancement forGPRS networks that implements an improved signal modulation scheme knownas 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying). By increasing network utilization, EDGEmay achieve up to three times faster data rates as compared to a typicalGPRS network. EDGE may be implemented on any GSM network capable ofhosting a GPRS network, making it an ideal upgrade over GPRS since itmay provide increased functionality of existing network resources.Evolved EDGE networks are becoming standardized in later releases of theradio telecommunication standards, which provide for even greaterefficiency and peak data rates of up to 1 Mbit/s, while still allowingimplementation on existing GPRS-capable network infrastructure.

Typically Mobile Station 1401 may communicate with any or all of BSS1410, RNS 1420, or E-UTRAN 1430. In an illustrative system, each of BSS1410, RNS 1420, and E-UTRAN 1430 may provide Mobile Station 1401 withaccess to Core Network 1440. The Core Network 1440 may include of aseries of devices that route data and communications between end users.Core Network 1440 may provide network service functions to users in theCircuit Switched (CS) domain, the Packet Switched (PS) domain or both.The CS domain refers to connections in which dedicated network resourcesare allocated at the time of connection establishment and then releasedwhen the connection is terminated. The PS domain refers tocommunications and data transfers that make use of autonomous groupingsof bits called packets. Each packet may be routed, manipulated,processed or handled independently of all other packets in the PS domainand does not require dedicated network resources.

The Circuit Switched-Media Gateway Function (CS-MGW) 1441 is part ofCore Network 1440, and interacts with Visitor Location Register (VLR)and Mobile-Services Switching Center (MSC) Server 1460 and Gateway MSCServer 1461 in order to facilitate Core Network 1440 resource control inthe CS domain. Functions of CS-MGW 1441 may include, but are not limitedto, media conversion, bearer control, payload processing and othermobile network processing such as handover or anchoring. CS-MGW 1441 mayreceive connections to Mobile Station 1401 through BSS 1410, RNS 1420 orboth.

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 1442 stores subscriber data regardingMobile Station 1401 in order to facilitate network functionality. SGSN1442 may store subscription information such as, but not limited to, theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), temporary identities,or Packet Data Protocol (PDP) addresses. SGSN 1442 may also storelocation information such as, but not limited to, the Gateway GPRSSupport Node (GGSN) 1444 address for each GGSN where an active PDPexists. GGSN 1444 may implement a location register function to storesubscriber data it receives from SGSN 1442 such as subscription orlocation information.

Serving Gateway (S-GW) 1443 is an interface which provides connectivitybetween E-UTRAN 1430 and Core Network 1440. Functions of S-GW 1443 mayinclude, but are not limited to, packet routing, packet forwarding,transport level packet processing, event reporting to Policy andCharging Rules Function (PCRF) 1450, and mobility anchoring forinter-network mobility. PCRF 1450 uses information gathered from S-GW1443, as well as other sources, to make applicable policy and chargingdecisions related to data flows, network resources and other networkadministration functions. Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW) 1445 mayprovide user-to-services connectivity functionality including, but notlimited to, network-wide mobility anchoring, bearer session anchoringand control, and IP address allocation for PS domain connections.

Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 1463 is a database for user information andmay store subscription data regarding Mobile Station 1401 or UserEquipment 1402 for handling calls or data sessions. Networks may containone HSS 1463 or more if additional resources are required. Example datastored by HSS 1463 may include, but is not limited to, useridentification, numbering and addressing information, securityinformation, or location information. HSS 1463 may also provide call orsession establishment procedures in both the PS and CS domains.

The VLR/MSC Server 1460 provides user location functionality. WhenMobile Station 1401 enters a new network location, it begins aregistration procedure. A MSC Server for that location transfers thelocation information to the VLR for the area. A VLR and MSC Server maybe located in the same computing environment, as is shown by VLR/MSCServer 1460, or alternatively may be located in separate computingenvironments. A VLR may contain, but is not limited to, user informationsuch as the IMSI, the Temporary Mobile Station Identity (TMSI), theLocal Mobile Station Identity (LMSI), the last known location of themobile station, or the SGSN where the mobile station was previouslyregistered. The MSC server may contain information such as, but notlimited to, procedures for Mobile Station 1401 registration orprocedures for handover of Mobile Station 1401 to a different section ofthe Core Network 1440. GMSC Server 1461 may serve as a connection toalternate GMSC Servers for other mobile stations in larger networks.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 1462 is a logical element which maystore the International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEI) for MobileStation 1401. In a typical embodiment, user equipment may be classifiedas either “white listed” or “black listed” depending on its status inthe network. In one embodiment, if Mobile Station 1401 is stolen and putto use by an unauthorized user, it may be registered as “black listed”in EIR 1462, preventing its use on the network. Mobility ManagementEntity (MME) 1464 is a control node which may track Mobile Station 1401or User Equipment 1402 if the devices are idle. Additional functionalitymay include the ability of MME 1464 to contact an idle Mobile Station1401 or User Equipment 1402 if retransmission of a previous session isrequired.

While example embodiments of supplemental rescue resources systems andmethods have been described in connection with various computingdevices/processors, the underlying concepts may be applied to anycomputing device, processor, or system capable of implementingsupplemental rescue resources systems and methods. The varioustechniques described herein may be implemented in connection withhardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both.Thus, the supplemental rescue resources systems and methods may beimplemented, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the formof program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible storage mediahaving a tangible physical structure. Examples of tangible storage mediainclude floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, hard drives, or any othertangible machine-readable storage medium (computer-readable storagemedium). Thus, a computer-readable storage medium is neither a transientnor a propagating signal per se. When the program code is loaded intoand executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes anapparatus for implementing supplemental rescue resources systems andmethods. In the case of program code execution on programmablecomputers, the computing device will generally include a processor, astorage medium readable by the processor (including volatile andnon-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device,and at least one output device. The program(s) can be implemented inassembly or machine language, if desired. The language can be a compiledor interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

While supplemental rescue resources systems and methods have beendescribed in connection with the various embodiments of the variousfigures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may beused or modifications and additions may be made to the describedembodiments for performing the same functions of supplemental rescueresources systems and methods without deviating therefrom. For example,one skilled in the art will recognize that supplemental rescue resourcessystems and methods as described in the present application may apply toany environment, whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to anynumber of such devices connected via a communications network andinteracting across the network. Therefore, supplemental rescue resourcessystems and methods should not be limited to any single embodiment, butrather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a supplementalresources system, an emergency alert communication comprising anindication of a location from a first mobile device; determining, at thesupplemental resources system, a plurality of supplemental resourcesbased on the emergency alert communication; determining a plurality oflocations of a respective plurality of devices associated with eachsupplemental resource of the plurality of supplemental resources;selecting, based on the plurality of locations, at the supplementalresources system from among the plurality of supplemental resources, asupplemental resource associated with a second mobile device that isproximate to the location, wherein selecting the supplemental resourceis further based on qualifications of the supplemental resource and thepreferences of the supplemental resource obtained by the supplementalresources system; and transmitting, from the supplemental resourcessystem to the second mobile device, a request to provide assistance. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a request foradditional data to the supplemental resource.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising transmitting, to an emergency services provider, anotification indicating that the supplemental resource has beennotified.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, tothe first mobile device, a notification indicating that the supplementalresource has been notified.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving additional data from the supplemental resource;and transmitting the additional data to an emergency services provider.6. A supplemental resources system comprising: a memory comprisingexecutable instructions; and a processor, wherein the processor, whenexecuting the executable instructions, effectuates operationscomprising: receiving, at the supplemental resources system, anemergency alert communication comprising an indication of a locationfrom a first mobile device; determining, at the supplemental resourcessystem, a plurality of supplemental resources based on the emergencyalert communication; determining a plurality of locations of arespective plurality of devices associated with each supplementalresource of the plurality of supplemental resources; selecting, based onthe plurality of locations, at the supplemental resources system fromamong the plurality of supplemental resources, a supplemental resourceassociated with a second mobile device that is proximate to thelocation, wherein selecting the supplemental resource is further basedon qualifications of the supplemental resource and the preferences ofthe supplemental resource obtained by the supplemental resources system;and transmitting, from the supplemental resources system to the secondmobile device, a request to provide assistance.
 7. The supplementalresources system of claim 6, wherein the operations further comprisetransmitting a request for additional data to the supplemental resource.8. The supplemental resources system of claim 6, wherein the operationsfurther comprise transmitting, to an emergency services provider, anotification indicating that the supplemental resource has beennotified.
 9. The supplemental resources system of claim 6, wherein theoperations further comprise transmitting, to the first mobile device, anotification indicating that the supplemental resource has beennotified.
 10. The supplemental rescue resources system of claim 6,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving additional data fromthe supplemental resource; and transmitting the additional data to anemergency services provider.
 11. A tangible computer-readable storagemedium comprising computer-executable instructions, which when executedby a processor, cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:receiving, at a supplemental resources system, an emergency alertcommunication comprising an indication of a location from a first mobiledevice; determining, at the supplemental resources system, a pluralityof supplemental resources based on the emergency alert communication;determining a plurality of locations of a respective plurality ofdevices associated with each supplemental resource of the plurality ofsupplemental resources; selecting, based on the plurality of locations,at the supplemental resources system from among the plurality ofsupplemental resources, a supplemental resource associated with a secondmobile device that is proximate to the location, wherein selecting thesupplemental resource is further based on qualifications of thesupplemental resource and the preferences of the supplemental resourceobtained by the supplemental resources system; and transmitting, fromthe supplemental resources system to the second mobile device, a requestto provide assistance.
 12. The tangible computer-readable storage mediumof claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting arequest for additional data to the supplemental resource.
 13. Thetangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein theoperations further comprise transmitting, to an emergency servicesprovider, a notification indicating that the supplemental resource hasbeen notified.
 14. The tangible computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 11, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting, to thefirst mobile device, a notification indicating that the supplementalresource has been notified.